Show ContentsThrelfell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

  • Origins Available:
  • England
Threlfell Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Threlfell

What does the name Threlfell mean?

The name Threlfell arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Threlfell family lived in Lancashire, at Trelefelt.

Early Origins of the Threlfell family

The surname Threlfell was first found in Lancashire, where they took their surname from a former manor known as Trelefelt or Threlfield. 1 Originally known as Trelefelt, the documents of this manor have been lost, but at least it is recorded in the Domesday Book. 2

A very rare surname, the only record we found was that of William de Threliffal, who was listed in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1246. 3

Early History of the Threlfell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Threlfell research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1952 is included under the topic Early Threlfell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Threlfell Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Trelfall, Threlfall, Threlfal, Threlfel, Threlfell, Threlful, Threlfull, Threlfield and many more.

Early Notables of the Threlfell family

More information is included under the topic Early Threlfell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Threlfell migration to the United States+

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Threlfell or a variant listed above were:

Threlfell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Threlfell, who settled in Virginia in 1698
  1. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)

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